Son of Africa

Flopping on release by Island Records in 1976 — the label too busy with reggae star Bob Marley to promote an album of African music, a genre with few British followers back then — this rare album became a collector's item in the 2000s, with copies reaching £700 a pop.

Now remastered and re-released by BBE, these ten tracks exemplify the sound of an innovator regarded by some as Britain's Fela (minus the political angst and social commentary). Ghanaian-born Nigerian Remi Kabaka was instrumental in establishing the UK's Afro jazz and funk scenes, having emerged from the rock world where he played with luminaries ranging from Paul McCartney and Steve Winwood to The Rolling Stones. He performed ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ with the latter to over 250,000 people at Hyde Park in 1969.

Here, self-styled opener ‘Kabaka’ sets out his stall — a cry of ‘kachunga’ (which we’re told means ‘creativity’ or ‘happiness’) signalling what's to come: inventive, uplifting Afrobeat. ‘Sure Thing’ and ‘Aqueba Masaaba’ are pure funky goodness. Influences among his contemporaries (both ways) aren't hard to discern. Close your eyes on ‘Future of a 1000 Years’ and you could be listening to mid-career Labi Siffre.

Now 85 and retired, this son of Africa is actually the daddy of them all; including his DJ, producer and percussionist son. Remi Kabaka Jr carries on his father's legacy of creative innovation in London today, best known as a voice actor and drummer with Damon Albarn's Gorillaz.